Where to twirl in the shadow of palm trees , city skyscrapers , or dramatic stone cliffs .

Boston : Boston Common Frog Pond The nation 's oldest public park transforms its reflecting pool into an outdoor rink each winter . Chefs from the local restaurants Cheers and Hampshire House oversee the kid-friendly menu at the snack bar . Nov. 15 to Mar. 17 ; $ 4 , free for kids under 14 , $ 8 skate rental .

Chicago : McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park The Windy City 's newest downtown park is a feat of landscaping that encompasses a Frank Gehry-designed concert space , an interactive fountain , a garden , a restaurant -- even room for art exhibitions , picnics , and , yes , outdoor skating . Nov. 14 to Mar. 16 ; free , $ 9 skate rental .

Houston : Polar Ice Galleria Beneath a glass atrium inside Houston 's sprawling , high-end mall , this bi-level rink provides a well-deserved break from that other holiday sport -- shopping . Year-round ; $ 8 , $ 7 for children under 13 , $ 3 skate rental .

Los Angeles : Downtown on Ice At the Pershing Square rink , surrounded by palm trees , skaters can join periodic hockey clinics run by the L.A. Kings or glide along to live swing , jazz , or country music during free concerts held Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon , Fridays at 8 p.m. , Saturdays at 1 p.m. , and Sundays at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 to Jan. 21 ; $ 6 , $ 2 skate rental .

Minneapolis : Depot Skating Rink Housed in a former train shed at the historic Depot , the rink has an iron-truss canopy ceiling and giant glass walls looking out at downtown Minneapolis . Thursday to Sunday , Nov. 21 to Mar. 16 ; $ 8 , $ 6 for children under 18 , $ 6 skate rental .

New York City : The Pond at Bryant Park There 's no shortage of Manhattan rinks , but the pond ringed by trees and gleaming skyscrapers gets kudos for its free admission and park perks : an old-fashioned carousel , a flower kiosk , and a holiday market . The rink shuts down early to make way for the white tents of Fashion Week , held each February . Oct. 26 to mid-Jan. ; free , $ 10 skate rental .

Philadelphia : Blue Cross River Rink On the banks of the Delaware River , the rink hosts a free event each month : the crowd-pleaser Skate with Santa -LRB- Dec. 16 -RRB- , a New Year 's Eve Party on Ice -LRB- Dec. 31 -RRB- , a Healthy Kids Fest -LRB- Jan. 12 -RRB- , and a Sweet Treats weekend -LRB- Feb. 2-3 -RRB- . Nov. 23 to Mar. 2 ; $ 6 , $ 3 skate rental , $ 1 discount coupons available online .

Sun Valley : The Sun Valley Ice Rink Cool mountain nights and a sun shade keep this outdoor rink open even in the dog days of summer . A part of the ritzy Sun Valley Lodge , the rink mounts annual ice shows with Olympic medalist headliners and sells gear and frilly skating costumes . Year-round ; $ 10 , $ 8.50 children under 13 , $ 4 skate rental .

Washington , D.C. : Sculpture Garden Ice-Skating Rink The rink is strung with festive lights and set amid the National Gallery of Art 's outdoor sculpture collection , graced by the works of Joan Miró , Sol LeWitt , and Ellsworth Kelly . Nov. 17 to mid-Mar. ; $ 7 ; $ 6 for children under 13 , seniors , and students with ID ; $ 3 skate rental .

Yosemite National Park : Curry Village Ice Rink Half Dome and Glacier Point make a spectacular backdrop for skating , one of Yosemite 's many winter activities -LRB- snowshoeing , skiing , snowboarding , tubing -RRB- for hearty souls . Refuel with hot apple cider and s'mores by the outdoor fire pit . Nov. 16 to mid-Mar. ; $ 8 , $ 6 for children under 12 , $ 3 skate rental . E-mail to a friend

Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you and enter to win a free trip to Finland - CLICK HERE !

Copyright © 2007 Newsweek Budget Travel , Inc. , all rights reserved .

Note : This story was accurate when it was published . Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip .

@highlight

Rinks around the U.S. offer a variety of amenities

@highlight

Some of the best Indoor rinks are in Houston and Minneapolis

@highlight

Yosemite National Park provides great views while skating